Im sorry to hear that man. Well, I've never been anywhere near that financially well off but I also lost some precious gear. It was actually around that same time(2009) when I severely hurt my back.
My kids had to eat so I had to sell all my gear. Incl my old faithful JCM800. But the one that REALLY hurt ("the one that got away") was my beloved "Marshmallow" ...a late 70's 50 watt tone beast that was basically gifted to me by a friend of a friend. The guy really loved my playing and just wanted me to have it. (Yeah, that happens to me everyday 😄)
This was a VERY special Marshall. First, the reason we named it Marshmallow was because it had been in a large building fire a few yrs before I got it. Although the amp didnt directly catch fire, the rear chassis was left with burn scars.
The guy I got it from was a really great tech. He had bought it, reupholstered it, upgraded all the damaged components and tweaked it to perfection. He was a massive Duane Allman fan so he dialed it in for that tone.
That f**king thing sounded amazing! 😄
When I wasn't gigging it, I kept it at my bud's house. He lived in a place where we could crank it and jam. My bud had an old Marshall too but it couldnt touch the tone of that amp. Everytime I went pick it up from him, it broke his heart. We both adored that thing. We ran it thru my 800 cab with Rola 80s and pushed it with an SD-1. It was pure magic.
But u know what? I don't really care anymore. The older I get, the less I care about material things. We cant take it with us when we pass on. What's more valuable to me now is the memories of all those great times jamming with my pals. I only hope whoever owns Marshmallow now is having as much fun with it as we did.
Anyway, I pray God sends u a good job soon Craig. I have a feeling ur gonna be fine my friend. You may even look back at this as a time of spiritual growth, which is what's really important in this life. Cheers bud!